Monday News

Pats to honour franchise builders... Coombs earns 100th victory in Dubuque... Bucs get arena upgrades with new owner... Sioux Falls debates new arena...

Weekend News

It looks like Ryan over at the USHL Blog nailed it when he connected Regg Simon's resignation in Des Moines to the new ownership group... Tornado Warning! Frisco hopes to attract D-league basketball team to expanded Deja-Blue. Want to kill a successful hockey team? Bring in a hoops team to swipe all the quality dates... Sudbury Wolves hire new assistant coach...

Simon says "I quit!"

Regg Simon has resigned as head coach of the Des Moines Bucs: Simon Resigns as Head Coach & GM February 28, 2008 The Des Moines Buccaneers announced today that Head Coach and General Manager Regg Simon has resigned effective immediately. Associate Head Coach Todd Knott will take over on an interim basis as Head Coach for the remainder of the season. “I felt it was in my best interest personally and professionally to step down at this time.” Simon said. “I appreciate the opportunity the organization has given me and I wish them the best of luck in the future.” Buccaneers President Shawn Edwards, who made the announcement to his staff this afternoon, said it was a “sad day for Buccaneer hockey”, and that “Regg was a special person”. Simon was in his fifth season with the Buccaneers and his third as Head Coach & General Manager. Edwards said that Simon “took this organization to the next level and will certainly be missed.” He said that Regg is a “great talent in the coaching field with a bright future”. Edwards went on to say that he “understands Regg’s reasoning behind the decision”. Todd Knott will be making his USHL Head Coach debut tomorrow night as the Bucs host the Chicago Steel. Knott, in his third season with the Bucs, has served as a Head Coach & General Manager in the past. During the ’04-’05 season Knott guided the Fargo-Moorhead Jets of the North American Hockey League to a division title. Also, for those wondering, my ISP has hosed my webserver, so most of my images, like the masthead to the blog, are currently unavailable. It should be resolved in a day or so.

Thursday News

L.A. developer buys Des Moines Buccaneers... Eric Ballard resigns as assistant for the Junior Blues... BCHL Clippers a father-son business... Commercial development expected around new Windsor arena... Councillor wants to plan now for new arena in St. Catharines... How bad off is Portland these days? They are dropping off the local sports scene map... And then there's this...

Wednesday News

Lewiston MAINEiacs fined; head coach suspended one game... PMI fires Gamblers coach Mark Mazzoleni... Renaud family Spits' top priority... NOJHL to hold off ruling on neck guards... K-Rock Pot opening "cool" and "awesome"... *Cue John Cougar Mellencamp* Lemme tell ya... about Jack and Darlene...

Monday News

Hastings sets USHL all-time wins record... Generals to retire Lindros' No. 88, I'm sure the Soo Greyhounds banned the number years ago... Finley an excellent fit for Rockets staff... Francis Filion suspended for one game... Dubuque claims CSHL regular season title... Goin' to the 'Dogs; Niagara Falls fans pack arena to support St. Catharines team...

Saturday News

Frontenacs bid old rink good-Knight, but without Larry Mavety... Cozy comfort for Kent crowds in new home for Seattle T-Birds... USHL announces new partnership...

Friday News

Are you kidding me? Yet another league, Part II, the Lakefront International Junior Hockey League. Yeeeeeesh... Wenatchee NAHL vote postponed until Monday. What a way to run a railroad. Read the second paragraph carefully - why do you even consider approving a team with only the exec board? A recommendation to the full BoG I could see, but this was billed as final approval... Op-Ed: Rothschild shoots and it scores (for Wausau)...

Thursday News

A funny thing happened on the way to the NAHL voting on Wenatchee... nothing. After posting the Wenatchee World article yesterday, the response I received from several teams was "Vote? What vote?!???" as apparently the vote is not scheduled until next week. I'm not sure where the miscommunication originated, but then again, the World couldn't even get Mark Frankenfeld's name right (it has since been corrected)... Is everyone ready for yet another independent "Junior A" hockey league? No? Well too bad, you're stuck with one anyway. Say hello to the Wisconsin Junior Hockey League... If Wausau-are arena is built, team will follow... OHL suspends Kingston GM/head coach Larry Mavety, but not long enough for Fronts fans. Here's a clip of what resulted int he suspension...

Wednesday News

Wenatchee NAHL franchise up for a vote Tuesday. I haven't heard the result yet... I have heard there is a meeting going on today concerning the arena in Bloomington, IL. I hope to have more details by this weekend. Moose Jaw Warriors fined and suspended... Fargo's main rink financing almost secured... Fargo awarded 2009 IIHF U-18 Tournament, beating out St. Cloud and Providence... Ferguson, Brand honored with distinguished service awards...

Tuesday News

WHL board of governors meeting focuses on economy... Small-market WHL clubs remain viable... Selwood steps down as coach - Oshawa Generals promote Chris DePiero to bench boss... USHL president preparing to retire (not much here that wasn't in the release yesterday)... Rendell gives hope to Erie arena plan... Huskies and Saguenéens fined by QMJHL... Outbreak of mono really bugging 67's... Allow Mooseheads coach to map his hockey fate... High-flying Wolverine grounded by bad judgment... Surrey Eagles suspend centre for season... Welcome to the league, Verdun; now you figure out the schedule... Ray Bourque hopes Verdun move will be a success...

Friday News - Early Edition

A quick correction. For what it's worth, a member of the Alliance Hockey organization called me to task for describing NAHL commish Mark Frankenfeld's new position as Director of Hockey Operations a full time gig. I was clearly wrong, however, in stating that Frankenfeld has been with Alliance for some time. I got Alliance confused with the Texas Attack, with which Frankenfeld has been previously associated... Kingston's new arena has a sponsor, but what about the name? I don't normally get behind causes here (unless they are my own), but I'm encouraging everyone to write in a vote to name the new arena the K-Rock Pot... Brooks commits to $19.1M arena... Are the Burnaby Express on track to leave town? Pat Maroon - seasoned rookie... Q&A with Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman Matt Donovan... David Branch backs Windsor for Junior Worlds... WHL extends commissioner Ron Robison's contract through 2010-11 season (insert obligatory comparison to Mark Frankenfeld here)...

Saturday News

And then there were five; Attack partner sells his stake... Weyburn's McMillan reaches 1000-win-milestone. Other coaches in SJHL can't fathom so many wins... Was January the worst month ever in Prince George Cougars' history? Owner Rick Brodsky banking on the future... Generals' game in Kingston postponed... Erie Otters suspend Frank Grzeszczak indefinitely for violating team rules... OHL hosts midget showcase in Saginaw... Coombs concerned about complacency in Dubuque... Winnipeg on the short list to host 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship... Windsor, London team up for World Juniors bid... Edmonton and Calgary jointly seek 2012 world junior hockey tourney... Memorial Cup selection committee down to four members... Selection committee looks at Halifax... Schenn brothers taking WHL by storm... Omaha forward looks to be force... Quebec league sold Newfoundland short... Bizzy Bobcats still in NAHL playoff picture... Flying Aces getting results in MinnyJHL... It seems more Frontenacs fans are getting grumpy with owner Doug Springer...

Thursday News

Anthony LeBlanc pursuing OHL team for Thunder Bay. As a reference point, the old Thunder Bay UHL franchise averaged about 2,570 a game at their peak from 1993-95. Their USHL franchise never drew more than 1,100 in their last four years from 1996-2000... Global Spectrum to run new Windsor arena... Signs point to culture impact of Cedar Rapids Ice Arena... Future Gambler Chase Drake ready to take the next step... MJHL plays it safe when dealing with dangerous weather... Bad weather keeps Petes home; Last night's game in Owen Sound postponed... Shugg settles in with Spits... Weyburn making the playoffs is good, but 1,000 wins -- priceless... Pats coach wants his charges to keep playing hard... Maineiacs make pitch to host Memorial Cup... Pats' Doucet doing his part to earn his pay... Bulldogs' Aime moves up to Red Deer... Bad-luck Silvertip emerges as star... A few Oshawa fans left etiquette on the bus... Winnipeg bidding for world junior hockey championship... Who in London would have predicted this?

Wednesday News

Upon further review, BCHL made right call... Former NTDP player arrested in drug case... Erie Otters finalize new Tullio lease. I hope they got some scheduling protection against the proposed D-League team... Versatile Dillon grows on Seattle T-birds... Firm makes pitch to run Chevrolet Centre... Pats fined after brawl... Good news for Cougars' Riege, no break... City refuses to pay Attack bill... Extreme cold on Prairies doesn't stop hockey from being played... But - MJHL postpones games due to cold... Soo Birds' house in order... Indiana Ice player carries on despite tragedy... Spits on record pace for home attendance...

Tuesday News

Acadie-Bathurst Titan fire head coach Denis Francoeur... Battlefords' North Stars fire head coach/general manager Gary Clark... Chevy Centre management presentations begin today... Host families are a key component to success of Fairbanks Ice Dogs... Blades' Molleken awaits word on suspension... AJHL will stick with carding system, say no thanks to expansion... G-men ready to get greasy... Poapst has Chicago Steel on a roll... Schenn a rising WHL star... One cold Winter - Portland's suffering through horrific WHL season... Marc-Andre Fleury now knows how much Eagles fans love him... Thiessen is the Cat who never quits (includes video)... Stamkos shows how NHL Breakaway Challenge should have been done... Looking through the fog to hockey heaven... Is Verdun a tonic for Q headache?

Monday News

USHL All-Stars shine as Gamblers struggle. Also, as can be expected at All-Star events, there will be league meetings, so it should be interesting to see what shakes out over the next two days... More on the Fog Devils' relocation to Verdun: Is Verdun a tonic for Q headache? Everyone to blame in Fog Devils debacle... Fog Devils' failure means QMJHL unlikely to return to St. John's... Newfoundland loses major junior hockey... It's official: Fog Devils sold - Dobbin: There's no way we could have gone another year... Having one's hockey heart ripped out... RoadRunners hitting full stride. For the record, I'm not a fan of the special jerseys celebrating Kansas statehood. Despite having grown up in Kansas, the state seal never really "did it" for me (it's a little busy), so making it a hockey crest leaves me a little lukewarm. Sorry guys... DeLory suspended 8 games for spear, part of 23 games handed out for OHL brawl... Two Sarnia Sting players suspended by OHL... Not so much a juniors story, but interesting nonetheless - Cherry seeing red over blue hair... Mississauga St. Michael's Majors skating in the right direction... Todd Gill has found his comfort zone as the owner/coach of his hometown Brockville Braves... Current Belleville Bulls similar to '99 championship team...

Saturday News

Fargo School Board approves deal on arena. Here's the latest picture of the facility... Mayor must step it up in Kingston... Hockey players worry motel owners (okay, who invited the South Jersey Raptors?!???)... Cochrane: Why such a rush on the Fog Devils? Saint John lucky to retain junior hockey team, president says... League announcement: QMJHL set to return to Montreal next season... Board chair: St. John's Sports and Entertainment never asked to save the Fog Devils... Soo may return to NOJHL... Sting expects to go with short bench for weekend contests... Fargo-Morehead Jets get two players... Mooseheads' Smith out longer than expected... Alex Archibald shoulders big load for Oil Kings... Taylor Hall's success has Spitfires' brass beaming... Ex-Pats giving back by coaching sons' teams... Cousins do well in USHL... No regrets for Hulak in Regina... Sarnia Sting's MacQueen learns from Boyes... Giants perfectly happy to practise... Camrose Kodiak Andrew MacWilliam commits to UND... Hockey to support Tulsa heroes... Andris Dzerins playing with confidence for Fronts... Maday's return benefits Black Hawks... Vancouver Giants not hurt by lack of scoring superstars... Dubuque T-Birds keep foot on (throat of other CSHL teams) accelerator...

Friday News

Writing was on the wall for Fog Devils prior to Christmas... Walling: What in the fog happened to the Devils? More than players affected by Foggies demise... SJSE chairman defends Devils' lease... Cedar Rapids RoughRiders close to lease deal - team for sale... Fargo School Board to vote on UP arena... Arena anticipation is building in Wenatchee (includes video)... QMJHL races should go down to the wire... Documentary a riveting look at junior hockey... Call-ups find permanent home in BCHL... Bruins coach awaits goals outburst... Bruin Smuk out at least a month... Robertson Cup Tournament is coming to St. Louis... North Stars to sell beer, wine at remaining home dates... Scrappers’ owner seeks stake in Youngstown arena... RoadRunners report: Four questions with coach Scott Langer (but no hard-hitting queries about Swedish Fish)... Latvian forward joins RoadRunners for 2008-09... MacLean goes from doghouse to funhouse in Prince George... Among Otters, Boyes stands out... Company benefits Eberle in Regina... New Ranger itching to play - Former Frontenacs blueliner Shutron recovers from back injury... Fletcher knows his role with IceDogs... Cedar Rapids RoughRiders close to lease deal - team for sale... Beljo is Knights' jack of all trades...

Thursday News

We have another article out of Wenatchee this week. Boy, where do I begin? Bobby Brett is either completely out of touch with the realities of the NAHL, or is spewing HUGE chunks of propaganda needlessly to protect his WHL franchise in Spokane. Don't get me wrong, I have some issues with the idea of placing an NAHL team in Wenatchee too, but Brett's arguments are not based in reality. But Brett said airline travel isn't feasible for any franchise at that level because of the costs. And because the NAHL considers Wenatchee a remote location, the league has said that a Wenatchee team would have to participate in a travel subsidy program that would add $100,000 to the franchise's budget. "To be financially successful in minor-league sports, you have to be on a bus," Brett said, noting WHL teams use buses to travel. "I can't even imagine the amount of money it costs to fly." Brett seems completely oblivious to the fact there are already three NAHL teams in Alaska doing this already. Brett sees other problems with the Wenatchee market — including the lack of television coverage. The Spokane Chiefs are scheduled to receive live TV coverage in at least half a dozen of their home games this season in a market that has four networks. Wenatchee doesn't have a TV station. Probably half the NAHL markets don't get any TV coverage, and most probably don't get it on a regular basis (certainly not like what Brett's team gets in Spokane). And, I suspect the NAHL probably gets MORE TV coverage than the Canadian Tier II leagues. I can't image Brett trying to protect Spokane. Wenatchee is nearly three hours away, and so he's not going to lose any fans to an NAHL team there. In other news... Here's a another piece on the USHL coming to Wausau, this time by the local TV station (no vid clip, however)... More on the resignation of Canmore head coach/GM Bob Miller... QMJHL to give Montreal another shot (how do you kill a zombie?)... Verdun Borough expresses confidence in being able to once again welcome junior hockey to the auditorium... No further sanctions levied upon Remparts... Repik talks, Giants look again at BCHL and other stuff... Merrett steps into big skates for Niagara IceDogs... Getting personal with Peterborough head coach Vince Malette... BCHL cranks up marketing effort... Waywayseecappo Wolverines on way up... Saskatoon defenceman boasts most powerful shot - 97-m.p.h. blast wins shooting contest... Washington Junior Capitals defenseman Puderbaugh doesn't mind being offensive... Slumping Traver City North Stars try to keep upbeat... Pats becoming tough team to beat... Former Pat Nick Ross gets an 'A' from Kamloops Blazers... Boyes stirs fans' memories at Erie number retiring...